Even a limited, regional nuclear war, such as one between archrivals
India and Pakistan, would cause major changes in the global climate
and likely starve a billion people, according to new research.

The huge amounts of dust and dirt thrown into the atmosphere by
multiple atomic explosions would reduce the amount of sunlight
reaching the earth, according to the research released Tuesday by the
nonprofit anti-nuclear Physicians for Social Responsibility.

As a result, U.S. production of grains and soy would decline for five
years, eventually dipping to 80 percent of their current level, and
take another five years to recover.

Chinese rice production also would fall to about 79 percent of its
current level during the first four years following a nuclear
exchange involving 100 small warheads.

India and Pakistan have more than 100 warheads between them.

The decline in agricultural production would disrupt global food
markets and send prices spiraling, pushing many of the world’s
already hungry poor over the edge to starvation.

“The number of people threatened by nuclear-war induced famine would
be well over one billion,” the research concludes.